Union explode for four goals, top San Jose

CHESTER – On a night that marked the debut of goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi, the Philadelphia Union attack made sure the eyes of the PPL Park faithful were trained on the opposite goal most of the evening.

M’Bolhi was relegated to the role of spectator on an offensive barrage for the Union, a 4-2 win over the San Jose Earthquakes thanks to a match-winner from Sheanon Williams in the 72nd minute.

Andrew Wenger scored twice for the Union, and Sebastien Le Toux got the other goal to go with three assists for the Union (7-9-9, 30 points), who jumped up to tie New England for sixth in the Eastern Conference playoff race, one point behind New York. The Revolution hold the tiebreaker based on wins.

A beautiful strike by Sam Cronin and a trademark Chris Wondolowski goal had pulled the Earthquakes (6-10-7, 25 points) back from a 2-0 deficit after the first half hour. But a team playing its third game in eight days and 3,000 miles from home didn’t have the legs to sustain the comeback effort.

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From the outset, the Union’s attacking chemistry was vividly on display. They orchestrated a brilliant counterattack in the 10th minute, capitalizing on an uncharacteristically poor free kick delivery from former Union player Shea Salinas.

The block by Conor Casey turned into a pair of 1-2s played between Nogueira and Casey and Casey and Le Toux, who was eventually sprung down the left wing. He squared a perfect ball to Wenger, who made a charging diagonal run across the face of Cronin and took a first touch that created sufficient space from the defender to unleash a rising shot across Jon Busch’s goal into the far-side netting for his third MLS goal with the Union.

Four minutes later, the Union were at it again, with Casey and Le Toux in the center. A cross by Williams intended for Casey was cut out by defender Victor Bernardez, but the Honduran’s clearance was straight into the path of an onrushing Le Toux, who blasted his right foot through the ball for his 11th MLS goal of the season.

As for M’Bolhi, he was effective if seldom called into action. There was nothing he – or any goalkeeper, for that matter – could do on the Earthquakes goal in the 59th, an absolute cracking side volley from Cronin from 24 yards out that rocketed into the upper 90.

But otherwise, M’Bolhi was solid. His first save of the night, pawing away a low shot from Wondolowski hit through traffic off a corner in the 12th minute, was uncomfortable, but it proved to be the outlier on the evening. He was aggressive coming off his line, made several assured punches on Salinas free kick deliveries near the six-yard box and effectively marshalled the central defensive pairing of Ethan White and Carlos Valdes that looked comfortable for the most part.

The Union missed a pair of golden chances for a third goal in the second half, which they nearly rued. In the 57th minute, a wide open header by Casey on the edge of the six was right into the arms of Busch, who made a great reflex save to keep it out. In the 70th, Nogueira teed up an open look at the top of the 18, after a dummy run by Maurice Edu, that he curled over the bar.

Less than a minute later, the Union were made to play for their wastefulness, Wondolowski getting onto the end of a Salinas cross that Ray Gaddis misjudged in the air and firing home to M’Bolhi’s shortside to briefly even matters.

But two minutes later, the Union nudged ahead for good, Williams appearing to get the final touch on a dangerous, swerving Le Toux free kick delivery that was also deflected by the Earthquakes Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi. Either way, Busch was left stranded, and the Union were in front again.

Wenger added some valuable insurance, outsprinting substitute fullback Shaun Francis on a heady run through the middle and finishing with gusto to complete his brace.